Page 11 - The Ultimate Guidebook for Teens with Food Allergies

Tess - I know at least ten people who have food allergies at my university. Since moving to Vancouver, I have made two very good girl friends. Both of them have a variety of food allergies as well! I guess birds of a feather really do flock together!
What’s the toughest part about having allergies?
Hannah - For me, the toughest part about having allergies is the extra effort I must exert to ensure the food I eat is safe. Other people don’t have to worry about travelling to another country and communicating their dietary needs or asking their friend’s mom if the birthday cake she baked is allergen-free. I never put something in my mouth without first reading its ingredients, asking someone if it’s safe, and/or examining it in great detail.
Sydney H. - The toughest part about my allergies is feeling excluded at social events.
Talia - Going to dinners with friends can be tricky. I’m lucky to have really understanding friends who
often let me choose the restaurant so I feel more comfortable.
Tess - I think the toughest thing about having food allergies is explaining it to other people and having them really ‘get it’. I think that’s what I have struggled with the most over the years. For some people, it just clicks and they seem to really grasp the seriousness of it. And, for others, it just doesn’t.
How do you typically explain what allergies are to others?
Hannah - If someone does not know what allergies are, I generally describe them as a health condition that results in a person not being able to eat certain foods because it could lead to a severe reaction throughout the body.
Sydney H. - I find that the majority of people nowadays understand what allergies are. However, if they don't, I typically tell them that my body simply recognizes the allergen as a germ, bacteria or disease that it tries to fight against. I explain that this can have disastrous consequences.
Talia – Sometimes, to explain cross-contamination, I compare an allergen to something dangerous. I ask, would your friends feel comfortable eating a candy bar that said “may contain rat poison” on the label? Probably not, given that it could be dangerous to their health like an allergen can be for me.
Tess - I try to keep it simple and to the point without excluding the seriousness of my food allergies. I usually say something like “I have a food allergy and I’m allergic to x, y, z. This means that, if I ingest x, y, z, my life could be at risk.” Sometimes, if people ask, I’ll tell them what kind of symptoms I could experience. I typically concentrate on airway and blood pressure symptoms, how it feels, and maybe explain a past experience or two. I find that most people who ask questions are genuinely interested in what happens during a reaction and what has to take place in terms of treatment. It’s always nice to